Departmental Vehicles

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Prime Minister how many vehicles for which his Office is responsible are fitted with retreaded tyres.

Tony Blair: For these purposes my Office forms part of the Cabinet Office. I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Mr. Hutton) today.

Community Programmes

Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on how the Community Action 2020 programme will be implemented in Oxfordshire.

Elliot Morley: Community Action 2020 (CA2020) aims to build on the good work many communities and their local authorities have carried out under the Local Agenda 21 initiative. It is part of the "Together we can" programme for communities launched by my right hon. Friend Hazel Blears MP on 28 June this year.
	CA2020 will enable and encourage wider community action by improving access to information, advice and assistance. This will enable local community groups to identify ways they can make a difference in delivering sustainable development.
	We are exploring the best ways in which the information, advice and assistance given to communities on sustainable development can be improved. We are working closely with experts in the sustainable development and community sectors to explore this. We hope to work jointly with national and local bodies to provide new tools and methods of support for community groups. These will be applied across England and their take up will very much depend on the interest among local organisations.
	We are working closely with voluntary and community sector bodies nationally to strengthen support for local communities on sustainable development.
	Our website offers helpful information and ideas which community organisations may like to use www.sustainable-development.gov.uk, and further details of the Community Action 2020 programme will be publicised here.

Departmental Expenditure

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the total spending by her Department on (a) staff, (b) accommodation and (c) procurement in the (i) Moray constituency and (ii) Highland Region was for the most recent year for which figures are available.

Jim Knight: The staff employed in the Highland region 1 , which includes the Moray constituency, are not based in a DEFRA building. The costs of these staff, estimated on a standard cost basis, are shown in the following table, together with an estimate of accommodation overheads are based on a regional specific percentage of the staff costs. It is not possible to isolate procurement costs by constituency.
	
		2004–05 -- £000
		
			  (i) Moray (ii) Highland region(1) 
		
		
			 (a) Staff 135 1,749 
			 (b) Accommodation 1 17 
			 (c) Procurement n/k n/k 
		
	
	(1) The Scotland parliamentary constituency map was divided into three "regions"; Highlands and Islands, Central Scotland and Borders. The Highlands and Islands "region" that was used for this answer covers the following parliamentary constituencies:
	Aberdeen North
	Aberdeen South
	Aberdeenshire West and Kincardine
	Angus
	Argyll and Bute
	Banff and Buchan
	Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
	Dundee East
	Dundee West
	Fife North East
	Gordon
	Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey
	Moray
	Na h-Eileannan an Iar
	Ochil and Perthshire South
	Orkney and Shetland
	Perth and Perthshire North
	Ross, Skye and Lochaber
	Stirling
	Information on regional distribution of staff at 1 April 2004 is available in the Libraries of both Houses, and also at, http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/management_ information/statistical_information/statistics/contents_ for_civil_service_statistics_2004_report/index.asp.
	Figures relating to 1 April 2005 will be published next year.

Departmental Expenditure

Alex Salmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the total spending by her Department on (a) staff, (b) accommodation and (c) procurement in (i) Banff and Buchan and (ii) the North East of Scotland was for the most recent year for which figures are available.

Jim Knight: The Department does not employ any staff in the Banff and Buchan constituency. The staff employed in North East Scotland are not based in a DEFRA building. The costs of these staff, estimated on a standard cost basis, are shown in the table, together with an estimate of accommodation overheads are based on a Regional specific percentage of the staff costs. It is not possible to isolate procurement costs by constituency.
	
		2004–05 -- £000
		
			  (i) Banff and Buchan (ii) NE Scotland(2) 
		
		
			 (a) Staff 135 1,749 
			 (b) Accommodation 1 17 
			 (c) Procurement n/k n/k 
		
	
	(2) The Scotland parliamentary constituency map was divided into three "regions"; Highlands and Islands, Central Scotland and Borders. The nearest approximation to NE Scotland was the Highlands and Islands "region". This was used for this answer and covers the following parliamentary constituencies.
	Aberdeen North
	Aberdeen South
	Aberdeenshire West and Kincardine
	Angus
	Argyll and Bute
	Banff and Buchan
	Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
	Dundee East
	Dundee West
	Fife North East
	Gordon
	Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey
	Moray
	Na h-Eileannan an Iar
	Ochil and Perthshire South
	Orkney and Shetland
	Perth and Perthshire North
	Ross, Skye and Lochaber
	Stirling
	Information on regional distribution of staff at 1 April 2004 is available in the Libraries of both Houses, and also at, http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/management_ information/statistical_information/statistics/contents_ for_civil_service_statistics_2004_report/index.asp.
	Figures relating to 1 April 2005 will be published next year.

Ruddy Ducks

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will publish the evidence behind the decision to grant licences to cull ruddy ducks.

Jim Knight: The North American ruddy duck was introduced to wildfowl collections in the UK in the 1940s, from where a small number escaped from captivity and began to breed in the wild. As the UK population of wild ruddy ducks increased, so did the number of ruddy ducks on the European mainland. Hybridisation with the Spanish population of the globally threatened white-headed duck, now numbering some 2,600, is recognised as the most significant threat to that species' long-term survival.
	Initial research on control methods was carried out by the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (Hughes, 1996) and the three year UK Ruddy Duck Control Trial, commissioned by my Department, sought to verify their findings. The report (published in July 2002, copies available in the Library of the House) indicated that eradication of ruddy ducks from the United Kingdom was feasible within 10 years, and that shooting on over wintering sites was the most effective means of control.
	In a written ministerial statement on 3 March 2003, Elliot Morley announced that the Government agreed in principle to the eradication of the ruddy duck in United Kingdom. Since that time DEFRA has been funding additional research to refine the effectiveness of the control strategy, and to investigate the effectiveness of alternative control measures such as egg oiling and pricking. A report of the research undertaken to the end of September 2005 is due to be published imminently, and will be available in the Library of the House in due course.
	A bid for funding under the LIFE Nature programme was recently approved by the European Commission, which supports eradication as part of efforts to protect the globally endangered white-headed duck. DEFRA's decision to co-fund the eradication programme was informed by the report of the control trial and by the additional research findings, and a licence has now been issued to the Central Science Laboratory to allow them to commence work. Detailed information about the LIFE project can be found on the Commission's website.
	The Government have also issued, in England, a general licence to remove the protection afforded to ruddy ducks by domestic legislation. The licence has been kept under review since it was first issued in July 2003, and has been revised to ensure the licence conditions are appropriate. The current licence was issued in December 2004, and is available on the DEFRA website.

Planning Committees

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what guidance his Department has issued to local authorities in relation to ward councillors sitting on planning committees considering planning applications from their own ward; and if he will make a statement.

Yvette Cooper: The Office of The Deputy Prime Minister has issued no guidance specifically in respect of actions by councillors sitting on planning committees. However, in 2001 the Government issued the statutory Model Code of Conduct for local government members, which sets out standards of conduct expected of all members. Guidance on the operation of the code has been issued by the Standards Board for England.
	In addition, The Local Government Association issued guidance in January this year "Probity in Planning: The Role of Councillors and Officers" and this makes clear that members who take an active stand in supporting or assisting a planning application should not take part in discussions on that application and should withdraw from the planning committee.

Planning Permission

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister 
	(1)  on what basis the consultation period for planning permission applications is decided;
	(2)  under what conditions the consultation period for planning permission applications may be extended;
	(3)  how many complaints regarding the consultation process for planning permission have been received by his Department in each year since 1997;
	(4)  what obligations there are on local authorities to inform local residents of planning permission applications in their vicinity;
	(5)  whether there are regulations relating to the amount of time local authorities must allow for notifying the public before a planning permission application is considered.

Yvette Cooper: Article 8 of the Town and Country Planning (General Development Procedure) Order 1995 says that no application may be determined until 21 days have elapsed since notice of the application was displayed or served. This period is to allow people time to comment. Most householder and other minor development must be publicised by notice near the application site, or by letter to those with land adjoining it. Larger schemes should also be publicised by advertisement in local newspapers and on the authority's website. In DoE Circular 15/92, "Publicity for Planning Applications", authorities are urged to do more than comply with the legal requirement. Moreover, the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 requires each authority to prepare Statements of Community Involvement, which should include the authority's policy for community involvement on planning applications.
	No statistics are kept on the numbers of complaints about the consultation process for planning permissions. If a planning decision ignores some crucial, relevant consideration, it might be open to challenge through the courts.
	An authority sets its own closing date for representations about a proposal. There is nothing in law to prevent it accepting a late comment if appropriate. However, if the matter is to go to committee, the authority will need to make sure it complies with the Local Government Act 1972 as amended, which requires relevant committee papers to be made public at least five days before the committee discusses the case.

Social Housing

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what his estimate is of the total number of council houses transferred to (a) housing associations and (b) arm's length management organisations (i) before May 1997 and (ii) since May 1997.

Yvette Cooper: Prior to May 1997, 245,705 council houses were transferred to registered social landlords (RSLs). Since May 1997, a further 683,578 council homes have been transferred to RSLs.
	The first Arm's Length Management Organisations (ALMOs) were set up in 2002. They manage local authorities' housing stock but ownership of that stock is not transferred to them. Currently about 682,000 homes owned by local authorities are managed by ALMOs.

Auditor Liability

Mark Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he has had with (a) officials and (b) auditing firms about reform of auditor liability.

Alun Michael: Ministers and officials have had numerous discussions with auditing firms about auditor liability, particularly since the publication of the consultative document "Director and auditor liability" in December 2003. We also continue to have discussions on the subject with companies and investors who have an interest as customers of auditors, and with bodies representing companies, investors and accountants.

Motorsport Unit

Nicholas Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 
	(1)  how much the Government have allocated to the motorsport unit since its inception.
	(2)  what assessment he has made of the efficacy of the Government motorsport unit;
	(3)  what assessment he has made of the suitability of the projects supported to date by the Government motorsport unit; and if he will make a statement;
	(4)  what projects have been funded by the Government motorsport unit; and how much each received;
	(5)  what procedure his Department has in place to assess those projects which have received funding to date from the Government motorsport unit;
	(6)  what assessment he has made of the propriety of Government motorsport unit's (a) formula women and (b) cruisesport projects;
	(7)  how much the (a) formula women and (b) cruisesport projects have received in funding from the Government motorsport unit since its creation;
	(8)  if he will make a statement on the future of the Government motorsport unit.

Alun Michael: On 11 July 2003 the then Secretary of State, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health, announced a Government commitment of £16 million over five years to fund the recommendations of the motorsport competitiveness panel, whose report was published on the same date. The panel was made up of leading figures from the motorsport industry, sport and academia together with officials from relevant departments. Its role was to recommend ways to strengthen the industry and sport from technicians at a grass roots level right up to the Formula 1 drivers and engineers at the top level of motorsport.
	The report recommended that a motorsport development board be created to lead, coordinate and prioritise development activities and an RDA-led Government motorsport unit should be formed to coordinate available Government resources towards the motorsport cluster. The board and the RDA-led unit are collectively known as motorsport development UK (MDUK).
	The projects now being taken forward by motorsports development UK are based upon the panel's priorities. These have not been revisited and it would be for the organisation itself to recommend any changes, either to the projects or the way in which they are being implemented. Assessment of the propriety and value for money of each project is carried out in line with the established procedures of the funding body concerned and action is taken where necessary to safeguard public funds.
	There has been some encouraging progress particularly in the use of bio-fuels in motorsport and also engaging young people to take part in engineering activities with a motorsport theme—the "Learning Grid'.
	Spending to date on the five projects now being pursued is shown in the following table:
	
		
			 Project theme Spend to date (£) 
		
		
			 Motorsport Academy 364,898 
			 The Learning Grid 442,230 
			 Business Development 213,545 
			 Energy Efficient Motorsport 463,726 
			 Widening Participation 265,574 
			 Total project spend 1,749,973 
		
	
	Note:
	"Formula Woman" is a commercial enterprise owned and organised by Formula Woman International Ltd. No MDUK funding has been granted to this venture.
	"CruiseSport" is one of the areas of activity within MDUK's project to widen participation and promote social inclusion in motorsport. Spend to date is £120,000. This figure is included within the total for widening participation is in the table.

Paternity Leave

Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many and what percentage of those entitled to paid paternity leave took advantage of their right during (a) 2005 and (b) 2004.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The Equal Opportunities Commission's survey "Dads and Their Babies: Leave Arrangements and the First Year", published earlier this year and part-funded by DTI, found that nine out of 10 fathers take time off work to spend with a new child and that over two-thirds of fathers currently take up the paternity entitlements available to them. The survey also found that a large percentage of employers are providing support for fathers which goes beyond the statutory provision and that almost three-quarters (72 per cent.) of the surveyed fathers who took paternity leave took at least some of this at full pay. We estimate that around 415,000 working fathers are eligible for statutory paid paternity leave.

Broadband

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans she has to increase the public take-up of broadband internet access in (i) East Sussex and (ii) the UK as a whole.

Alun Michael: holding answer 17 October 2005
	I have been asked to reply.
	The Government published on 1 April 2005 "Connecting the UK: the Digital Strategy". The strategy outlines the policy focus towards stimulating effective take-up and use of ICT. The strategy aims to address the digital divide that currently sees some groups excluded from the benefits to be gained from the internet.
	Plans also exist regionally to increase take-up of broadband. Organisations such as "Broadband East Sussex Partnership" which includes Access East Sussex, BT, The Education Authority, The South East England Development Agency (SEEDA), Sussex Enterprise, East Sussex Economic Partnership and the Learning and Skills Council are working with the Sussex Enterprise, local libraries and councils to promote broadband to individuals and businesses. The take-up of broadband in the UK is increasing at 70,000 subscribers a week.

Adult Education

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  if she will list the adult education allocations for each Learning and Skills Council for (a) 2005–06, (b) 2004–05 and (c) 2003–04;
	(2)  what the level of participation was in adult education in each Learning and Skills Council area in (a) 2004–05 and (b) 2003–04;
	(3)  what estimate her Department has made of participation in adult education in each Learning and Skills Council area for 2005–06.

Phil Hope: The exact makeup and distribution of learning provision at local level are matters for local Learning and Skills Councils and their partners in colleges and other providers, according to their assessment of local needs and priorities. I have therefore asked Mark Haysom, the LSC's chief executive, to write to my hon. Friend with more detailed information and a copy of his reply will be placed in the Library.

Under-age Drinking

Charles Walker: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what measures she is taking to reduce the incidence of under-age drinking among school pupils; and if she will make a statement.

Jacqui Smith: The statutory National Curriculum Science Order requires that all pupils should learn about the effects of alcohol and other drugs. In addition, schools are expected to use the non-statutory frameworks for Personal Social Health Education (PSHE) and Citizenship at key stages 1 and 2, PSHE at key stages 3 and 4 and the Citizenship programme of study at key stages 3 and 4 as the context for developing drug and alcohol education further. In 2004 all schools were issued with guidance on all aspects of drug education, including alcohol.
	Since 1997, we have made over £70 million available to local education authorities to support drug, alcohol and tobacco education and prevention in schools. Over the last three years more than 3,000 teachers have undertaken the PSHE certificate which sets standards in the teaching of PSHE, including alcohol education.
	Together with the Home Office and Department of Health, we are supporting a national five year research programme called "Blueprint" to test the effectiveness of drug education initiatives in schools. It will make a significant contribution to developing a UK evidence base for drug, alcohol and tobacco education.

Transport (Gravesham)

Adam Holloway: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what account his Department takes of the protection of (a) historic homes and (b) forests in (i) Gravesham and (ii) England in approving the construction of (A) new railways and (B) other transport infrastructure.

Karen Buck: The department evaluates transport and infrastructure projects in Gravesham and across England using the NATA (new approach to appraisal) process. As part of this process, local authorities are asked to appraise their transport plans against an environment objective which in turn includes landscape, biodiversity and heritage/historic resources sub-objectives.

Age Barriers

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate she has made of the number of NHS facilities which operate an explicit age bar to treatment.

Liam Byrne: The 2002 cross-cutting review on health inequalities recognised age as one dimension of tackling health inequalities. "Better Health in Old Age" published in November 2004, helped to ensure that people are treated on the basis of their needs, rather than their age. There has been a major increase in elective surgery for most old-age related needs and there is now a wider appreciation and awareness across health and social care of age discrimination as an issue. Action is being taken at a local level and national health service organisations have been advised to check their written policies to ensure they have no age bias.

Agenda for Change

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations she has received regarding the implementation of the NHS Agenda for Change at the East Sussex hospitals NHS trust.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 13 October 2005
	I am aware of correspondence to my right hon. Friend, the former Secretary of State for Health (Dr. Reid), in February 2005 about the funding and implementation of "Agenda for Change" in the East Sussex hospitals national health service trust. I understand that, while recognising the challenges for organisations, the response pointed to the huge investment of around £1 billion by 2005–06 to meet the costs of implementing "Agenda for Change" that has been provided for in NHS local budgets.
	The NHS Employers organisation provides support directly, where necessary, to individual hospital and primary care trusts on implementation issues.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many finished consultant episodes of care for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder there have been in each year since 1997.

Liam Byrne: The information requested is shown in the table.
	
		Finished consultant episodes (FCEs) with a primary psychiatric diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ICD-10 code F90), by gender, England, 1996–97 to 2003–04(10)
		
			  Gender 
			  Male Female All FCEs 
		
		
			 2003–04(10) 210 30 240 
			 2002–03 200 40 230 
			 2001–02 240 40 280 
			 2000–01 220 50 270 
			 1999–2000 180 40 220 
			 1998–99 170 40 210 
			 1997–98 150 30 180 
			 1996–97 110 30 140 
		
	
	(10) Data has not been adjusted for shortfalls in data, i.e. the data are ungrossed.
	Notes:
	1. ICD-10 Code F90 includes disturbance of activity and attention (F90.0) and hyperkinetic disorder (F90.1), and hyperkinetic disorder other/NOS (F90.8/F90.9).
	2. Disclosure rules apply due to the sensitive nature of the data; therefore, figures have been rounded to the nearest 10.
	3. A FCE is defined as a period of admitted patient care under one consultant within one health care provider. The figures do not represent the number of patients, as a person may have more than one episode of care within the year.
	Source:
	Hospital episode statistics, National Health Service Health and Social Care Information Centre.

Autism

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many diagnoses have been made of autism spectrum disorders in each of the last five years for which figures are available;
	(2)  what data her Department collects on levels of autism in the adult population;
	(3)  how many children under the age of eight have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders in each of the last five years.

Liam Byrne: Diagnoses of autistic spectrum disorders (ADSs) within hospitals are available from hospital episode statistics (HES). These are shown in the table.
	
		Number of finished consultant episodes involving a diagnosis of ASD(11), by age at end of episode, England, 1999–2000 to 2003–04
		
			  Age at end of episode 
			  16 and under Over 16 Unknown All diagnoses 
		
		
			 2003–04 5,780 2,360 10 8,150 
			 2002–03 5,630 2,320 0 7,950 
			 2001–02 5,180 2,100 0 7,280 
			 2000–01 4,980 1,750 10 6,730 
			 1999–2000 4,200 1,490 0 5,680 
		
	
	(11) ASDs include childhood autism, atypical autism, Asperger's syndrome, Rett's syndrome and other less common ASDs.
	Source:
	HES, national health service health and social care information centre.
	The Department does not collect data centrally on the levels of autism in the adult population, nor does it collect information on the diagnosis of children under the age of eight.
	The Medical Research Council's "Review of Autism Research: Epidemiology and Causes, (2001) suggests that":
	". . . there appears fairly good agreement that autism spectrum disorders affect approximately 60, and more narrowly defined autism 10–30, per 10,000 children under eight".
	It also suggests that the prevalence in autism in the adult population is not known.

Births

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many cases of shoulder dystocia were recorded in births of children weighing more than 8.8lbs in each of the last five years for which figures are available;
	(2)  how many cases of cephalopelvic disproportion were recorded in births of childen weighing more than 8.8lbs in each of the last five years for which figures are available;
	(3)  how many babies weighing (a) 8.8lbs or more, (b) 5.9lbs to 8.7lbs and (c) less than 5.8lbs died as a direct result of complications during birth in each of the last five years for which figures are available;
	(4)  whether she plans to introduce standard NHS guidelines for the delivery of babies weighing more than 8.8lbs; and if she will make a statement;
	(5)  what discussions she has held with (a) the Royal College of Gynaecologists and (b) other professional bodies about the development of protocols for very large babies delivered in NHS maternity wards.

Liam Byrne: Information on the number of cases of shoulder dystocia and cephalopelvic disproportion in births of children weighing more than 8.8lbs. is not collected centrally.
	Information on the number of babies weighing 8.8lbs. or more, 5.9lbs. to 8.7lbs. and less than 5.8lbs., who died as a direct result of complications during birth, is not collected centrally.
	I have not held any discussions with the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists or other professional bodies about the development of protocols for the delivery of very large babies.
	I currently have no plans to introduce standard national health service guidelines for the delivery of babies weighing more than 8.8lbs. Current evidence suggests identification of "large for gestation" babies, even with the advent of ultrasound scanning, has large margins of error. Current evidence also suggests management of "expected/suspected" babies of larger than 4000 grams, or larger than 8lb. 14 oz., shows no significant difference in actual morbidity and mortality of babies, whether labour is induced, spontaneous or elective caesarean section.
	Maternity clinical risk management standards have been developed by the NHS Litigation Authority, which administers the clinical negligence scheme for trusts. The standards include training for and management reporting of shoulder dystocia and have been fully endorsed by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and the Royal College of Midwives.

GPs

Jeremy Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what recent estimate her Department has made of the number of deaths caused by misdiagnosis by general practitioners; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  what steps her Department is taking to minimise the risks to patients' lives of misdiagnosis by general practitioners; and if she will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: The Department does not routinely collect information centrally about misdiagnosis by general practitioners. However, the Government established the National Patient Safety Agency in July 2001 to improve the safety of national health service patient care and to set up a national reporting and learning system (NRLS) for adverse events. This system has now been rolled out across the NHS.
	No cases have been reported to the NRLS to date where the patient died as a result of misdiagnosis reported to the NRLS. However, the NRLS has received only a relatively small number of incidents from primary care. Two deaths have been reported where there was a delay in diagnosis, one as a result of delay on the part of the patient.
	GPs are expected to learn in training the skills needed to deal with all their patients, including effective diagnosis. Government do not specify the content of the GP training curriculum. This is the job of the Postgraduate Medical Education and Training Board (PMETB), which is the competent authority for postgraduate medical training in the United Kingdom. PMETB is an independent professional body.
	Regulations specify seven competencies which must be tested and which the curriculum must therefore teach:
	factual medical knowledge sufficient to enable the doctor to perform the duties of a GP.
	the ability to apply factual medical knowledge to the management of problems presented by patients in general practice.
	effective communication, both orally and in writing.
	the ability to consult satisfactorily with general practice patients.
	the ability to review and critically analyze the practitioner's own working practices and to manage any necessary changes appropriately.
	clinical skills.
	the ability to synthesize all of the above competencies and apply them appropriately in a general practice setting.
	All GPs are also subject to annual appraisal. This involves the GP discussing their practice with a trained appraiser against the headings of the General Medical Council's (GMC) "Good Medical Practice" guidance. Agreed areas for improvement are taken forward into a personal development plan which informs the doctor's training and development, which is reviewed over the following year. More serious concerns are dealt with outside of this process through a number of local and national arrangements, including retraining or reference to the GMC.

Management and Administrative Costs

Jeremy Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how the management and administrative costs referred to in the guidance on commissioning a patient-led NHS issued on 28 July by Sir Nigel Crisp will be defined; and how much was spent on them in the NHS financial year 2004–05.

Liam Byrne: In "Commissioning a Patient led NHS", management and administrative costs are defined as the pay costs, non-pay costs and the cost of estate relating to the management and administration in primary care trusts (PCTs), strategic health authorities (SHAs) and ambulance trusts. Pay costs relating to management and administration are separately identified in a note to the audited annual accounts of SHAs and PCTs.
	Total management costs for 2004–05 were £2.58 billion—3.7 per cent. of the total national health service budget and 1.3 per cent. lower than in 1997–98.
	Non-pay and estate costs relating to management and administration are not separately identified in the notes to the accounts.

Mesothelioma

Nick Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what advice she has received from the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence on the effectiveness of Alimta, in combination with other interventions, in ameliorating mesothelioma;
	(2)  in which national health service areas Alimta is accepted as a treatment for mesothelioma by the NHS.

Jane Kennedy: Alimta is licensed for the treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma and can be prescribed across the national health service for those patients who fit the licensed criteria with the agreement of the clinicians and primary care trusts (PCTs) concerned.
	The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) is appraising Alimta for the treatment of mesothelioma and guidance is expected in October 2006.
	Funding for licensed treatments should not be withheld because guidance from NICE is unavailable. In these circumstances, we expect PCTs to take full account of available evidence when reaching funding decisions. This is confirmed in "Health Service Circular 1999/176", which asks NHS bodies to continue with local arrangements for the managed introduction of new technologies where guidance from NICE is not available at the time the treatment or technology first became available.

Methadone

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many deaths have been attributed to methadone use in each of the last five years.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Karen Dunnell to Mr. Andrew Rosindell, dated 20 October 2005
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking how many deaths have been attributed to methadone use in each of the last five years. (18008)
	Available figures relate to the number of deaths from drug-related poisoning where methadone was mentioned on the death certificate. The most recently available information is for deaths in 2003. It is not possible to identify from death certificates which substance was the primary cause when more than one was involved. Figures related to the number of deaths where methadone was mentioned on the death certificate, either alone or with other substances, are shown in the table below. This table is taken from information published in the annual report: "Deaths related to drug poisoning: England and Wales, 1999–2003", which was published in Health Statistics Quarterly 25 in February 2005.
	
		Number of deaths from drug-related poisoning(13) where methadone was mentioned on the death certificate, England and Wales, 1999–2003(14)
		
			  Methadone mentioned alone(15) Methadone and other substances Total mentions of methadone 
		
		
			 1999 168 130 298 
			 2000 133 105 238 
			 2001 97 110 207 
			 2002 90 126 216 
			 2003 68 107 175 
		
	
	(13) cause of death was defined using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) codes F11-F16, F18-F19, X40-X44, X60-X64, X85 and Y10-Y14.
	(14) Data are for deaths occurring in the calendar year.
	(15) Methadone was the only drug mentioned on the death certificate.

Mobile Communications (Interference)

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency has to re-examine the Medical Devices Agency's device bulletin, MDA DB 9702 March 1997, published in March 1997, on the effects of mobile communications on a range of medical devices.

Jane Kennedy: The advice in the publication DB 9702, "Electromagnetic Compatibility of Medical Devices with Mobile Communications", has been reviewed on a regular basis by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and its predecessor the Medical Devices Agency.
	A further device bulletin, DB 1999(02), "Emergency Service Radios and Mobile Data Terminal: Compatibility Problems with Medical Devices", was published in May 1999, which addressed the impact of radio communications on the safe use of a range of medical devices.
	An update document, SN 2001(06), was published in March 2001, which covered the potential interference with medical devices by TETRA radio systems employed by the emergency services and media broadcasts from hospital premises.
	Most recently, the MHRA published guidance on its website in July 2004, which referenced DB 9702 and DB 1999(02). This guidance advised that health care providers should actively manage the use of radio frequency spectrum on their own sites, and consider the potential effects of communication equipment on all medical devices.

No Secrets Guidance

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 20 July 2005, Official Report, column 1911W, on the No Secrets guidance, whether each local authority has (a) established multi-agency adult protection procedures in accordance with No Secrets and (b) produced a multi-agency annual report or statement on vulnerable adults work; and how many (i) adult protection referrals were received, (ii) investigations were undertaken and (iii) investigations were upheld as adult protection by each local authority.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 14 October 2005
	I understand from the chair of the Commission for Social Care Inspections (CSCI), that out of 150 local authorities, 145 have established multi-agency adult protection procedures in accordance with No Secrets. Four local councils have reported procedures that were underdeveloped.
	Out of 150 local authorities, 99 have produced a multi-agency annual report or statement on vulnerable adults work, while 45 have reported that this work was underdeveloped.
	The information obtained by CSCI on progress in developing multi-agency protection procedures will be used as part of the criteria for performance assessments.
	Information on the number of adult protection referrals received, investigations undertaken and investigations that were upheld as adult protection by each local authority is not held centrally or by CSCI.

Primary Care Trusts

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many planned primary care trusts will cover areas outside geographic areas covered by corresponding hospital trusts.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 14 October 2005
	Following the publication of "Commissioning a Patient led NHS" on 28 July, strategic health authorities will be submitting proposals to the Department for the configuration of their primary care trusts (PCTs) based on criteria set out in the document. The Department will consider the proposals and respond by the end of November. Any agreed changes will require formal straightforward consultation for three months from December. I am therefore unable to say what the configuration of PCTs will be until the outcome of that is known.

Employment Statistics (North-east)

Stephen Hepburn: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what the level of long-term (a) youth and (b) adult employment was in (i) Jarrow constituency, (ii) South Tyneside and (iii) the UK in each year since 1997;
	(2)  how many people were unemployed in (a) Jarrow constituency, (b) South Tyneside and (c) the UK in each year since 1997.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the national statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Karen Dunnell to Mr. Stephen Hepburn, dated 20 October 2005
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Questions about unemployment. (19307, 19308)
	Tables 1 to 3 attached show the total number of unemployed, the numbers of long-term adult unemployed (over 12 months) and long-term youth (aged 16 to 24) unemployed in the Jarrow constituency, South Tyneside local authority and for the UK for the periods ending in February each year from 1998 to 2004 (based on annual local area Labour Force Survey data) and for April 2004 to March 2005, the latest available data, from the Annual Population Survey. These estimates, as with any sample survey, are subject to sampling variability.
	The Office for National Statistics also compiles statistics of those claiming Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) for local areas. Tables 4 to 6 attached show the annual average number of adult JSA claimants, claiming for over 12 months, and the corresponding number of JSA claimants aged 18 to 24 (claiming for over 12 months) resident in the Jarrow constituency, South Tyneside and the UK for 1997 to 2004.
	The data in tables 4 to 6 are published on the Office for National Statistics's Nomis(r) website: www.nomisweb.co.uk
	
		Table 1: Number of unemployed resident in the Jarrow constituency -- Thousand
		
			   Long-term unemployed (over 12 months) 
			 12 month sending All All Youth (aged 16 to 24) 
		
		
			 February 1998 5 n/a n/a 
			 February 1999 3 (20)— (20)— 
			 February 2000 4 1 (20)— 
			 February 2001 4 1 (21)— 
			 February 2002 4 1 (20)— 
			 February 2003 3 1 (20)— 
			 February 2004 3 (21)— (20)— 
			 March 2005(19) 3 1 (20)— 
		
	
	n/a = Data not available.
	(19) Annual Population Survey.
	(20) Zero or disclosive sample size.
	(21) Less than 500.
	Source:
	Annual local area Labour Force Survey; Annual Population Survey.
	
		
			 Table 2: Number of unemployed resident in South Tyneside 
			Thousand 
			   Long-term unemployed (over 12 months) 
			 12 months ending All All Youth (aged 16 to 24) 
		
		
			 February 1998 8 n/a n/a 
			 February 1999 7 3 (23)— 
			 February 2000 11 4 (23)— 
			 February 2001 8 3 (24)— 
			 February 2002 7 2 (24)— 
			 February 2003 7 1 (24)— 
			 February 2004 6 1 1 
			 March 2005(22) 6 1 (24)— 
		
	
	n/a = Data not available.
	(22) Annual Population Survey.
	(23) Zero or disclosive sample size.
	(24) Less than 500.
	Source:
	Annual local area Labour Force Survey; Annual Population Survey.
	
		Table 3: Number of unemployed in the United Kingdom
		
			Thousand 
			   Long-term unemployed (over 12 months) 
			 12 months ending All All Youth (aged 16 to 24) 
		
		
			 February 1998 1,911 n/a n/a 
			 February 1999 1,730 520 82 
			 February 2000 1,689 486 69 
			 February 2001 1,518 410 68 
			 February 2002 1,450 354 64 
			 February 2003 1,494 322 61 
			 February 2004 1,444 321 67 
			 March 2005(25) 1,378 288 66 
		
	
	n/a = Data not available.
	(25) Annual Population Survey.
	Source:
	Annual local area Labour Force Survey; Annual Population Survey.
	
		Table 4: Number of JSA claimants resident in theJarrow constituency
		
			   Claiming over 12 months(26) 
			 Annual averages All All Youth (aged 18 to 24) 
		
		
			 1997 3,120 865 170 
			 1998 2,765 475 70 
			 1999 2,820 560 10 
			 2000 2,625 555 5 
			 2001 2,375 505 5 
			 2002 2,275 405 5 
			 2003 1,985 315 5 
			 2004 1,740 260 5 
		
	
	(26) Computerised claims only. Data rounded to nearest 5.
	Source:
	Jobcentre Plus Administrative system.
	
		Table 5: Number of JSA claimants resident in South Tyneside
		
			   Claiming over 12 months(27) 
			 Annual averages All All Youth (aged 18 to 24) 
		
		
			 1997 7,005 2,025 395 
			 1998 6,285 1,150 185 
			 1999 6,475 1,430 25 
			 2000 6,060 1,420 15 
			 2001 5,540 1,280 15 
			 2002 5,205 1,030 15 
			 2003 4,590 795 15 
			 2004 4,080 655 10 
		
	
	(27) Computerised claims only. Data rounded to nearest 5.
	Source:
	Jobcentre Plus Administrative system.
	
		Table 6: Number of JSA claimants in the United Kingdom
		
			   Claiming over 12 months(28) 
			 Annual averages All All Youth (aged 18 to 24) 
		
		
			 1997 1,602,440 462,360 78,970 
			 1998 1,362,340 320,280 45,310 
			 1999 1,263,000 295,935 13,800 
			 2000 1,102,255 237,060 6,240 
			 2001 983,000 186,770 4,500 
			 2002 958,760 149,340 5,040 
			 2003 945,895 135,735 5,420 
			 2004 866,145 128,660 6,260 
		
	
	(28) Computerised claims only. Data rounded to nearest 5.
	Source:
	Jobcentre Plus Administrative system.

Income Tax

Anne Snelgrove: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the cost would be of reducing the higher rate of income tax from 40 per cent. to 35 per cent.

Dawn Primarolo: Reducing the higher rate of income tax from 40 per cent. to 35 per cent. on earnings and savings would reduce tax revenue by an estimated £5.6 billion in 2005–06.
	This cost assumes changing the higher rate tax on earnings and savings only and does not include the effect on other linked taxes and reliefs such as capital gains tax.
	The income tax information is based upon the 2002–03 survey of personal incomes (SPI) projected forward to 2005–06 in line with Budget 2005 assumptions.
	The figures exclude any estimate of behavioural response to the tax changes, which could be significant given the scale of the changes.

Disability Living Allowance

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people have been awarded disability living allowance on the basis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in each of the last five years.

James Plaskitt: The requested information is not available. Figures are not kept separately for the numbers of disability living allowance awards made to people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Such awards are included in a wider "Behavioural disorder—including enuresis and hyperactivity" category. Information about the numbers of disability living allowance awards made to people whose main disabling condition falls into that category is in the table.
	
		Number of first awards of disability living allowance (DLA) in Great Britain made to people whose main disabling condition is recorded as "behavioural disorder-including enuresis and hyperactivity"
		
			 12 months ending 28 February Total number of first awards to DLA(32) 
		
		
			 2001 11,200 
			 2002 13,200 
			 2003 13,700 
			 2004 15,000 
			 2005 14.600 
		
	
	(32) To people whose main disabling condition is recorded as "behavioural disorder—including enuresis and hyperactivity".
	Notes:
	1. First awards are those made on initial claims, reviews or appeals to people not previously in receipt of the benefit. Figures are rounded to the nearest hundred.
	2. In cases where more than one disability is present, only the main disabling condition is recorded.
	Source:
	DWP information directorate, 5 per cent. samples.

Housing Benefit

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of housing benefit recipients opted for their housing benefit to be paid directly to their landlord in each year since 1997.

James Plaskitt: The information requested is in the table. Information is not available beyond May 2003.
	
		
			 As at May Paid direct to landlord (£000) Percentage of rent allowance recipients 
		
		
			 1997 1,265 68.5 
			 1998 1,290 71.2 
			 1999 1,298 72.3 
			 2000 1,318 75.5 
			 2001 1,345 77.3 
			 2002 1,381 77.8 
			 2003 1,567 80.0 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. The figures are based on a 1 per cent. sample and are therefore subject to a degree of sampling variation.
	2. Figures have been rounded to the nearest thousand and percentages are given to 1 decimal place.
	3. The data refers to benefit units, which may be a single person or a couple.
	4. Housing benefit figures exclude any extended payment cases.
	5. Rent rebate figures are not included here. Rent rebate is credited automatically to a rent account and so different methods of payment are not applicable.
	Source:
	Housing benefit and council tax benefit management information system, annual 1 percent. sample, taken in May 1997 to May 2003.

Pensions

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many (a) self-employed people, (b) people earning less than the lower earnings limit, (c) unemployed people and (d) other non-contributing people did not have second-tier pension arrangements in each year since 2002.

Stephen Timms: The table shows the estimated number of people in the UK who did not have private second-tier pension provision (i.e. those who are not contributing to an occupational, personal or stakeholder pension).
	
		Million
		
			 Employment status 2002–03 2003–04 
		
		
			 Self employed 1.7 1.8 
			 Employees earning less than the lower   earnings limit 1.3 1.4 
			 Unemployed 1.0 1.0 
			 Other 6.7 6.7 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. All figures are estimates and are taken from the Family Resources Survey (FRS). 2003–04 is the latest year for which data is available. The coverage of the survey is the UK.
	2. Second tier pension arrangements cover those contributing to occupational, personal or stakeholder pension schemes. Members who are contributing to a private pension scheme include those who are building up rights within a salary related scheme, those who are currently contributing to a scheme or whose employer makes a contribution on their behalf. Those who contribute to any form of second tier pension are excluded from the figures.
	3. The self employed and those earning less than the lower earnings limit covers those working both full time and part time. "Other" covers students, those who are retired, those who are looking after a family or home, those who are permanently sick or disabled, those who are temporarily sick or disabled and any other inactivity. Employment status is reported by the individual.
	4. Working age is ages 20–59 for women and 20–64 for men.
	Source:
	Family Resources Survey.

Water Consumption

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what change there was in water consumption by his Department between 2002 and 31 March 2005; and what assessment he has made of which non-office sites offer opportunities for significant water savings.

James Plaskitt: The levels of water consumption for the Department for Work and Pensions are given in the table. The Department is working to deliver the specific water targets contained within the "Framework for Sustainable Development on the Government Estate". The figures in the table reflect how water consumption is reported against the specific water consumption target.
	
		
			  m(35) 
		
		
			 2002–03 9.14 
			 2003–04 11.2 
			 2004–05 9.3 
		
	
	As reported in the Sustainable Development in Government reports, the whole Department for Work and Pensions estate is designated as office based. There are, therefore, no non-office sites on the estate.

Child Protection

Annette Brooke: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what plans she has to review and consult upon child protection and care proceedings; and if she will make a statement.

Bridget Prentice: On 5 July my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs and Lord Chancellor announced a Review of the Family Justice System in the area of Child Care proceedings, to be led jointly by my Department and the Department for Education and Skills. Its Terms of Reference are set out at Annex B of the Command Paper "A Fairer Deal for Legal Aid", published on that day (Cm 6591), and it will report to Ministers by 31 January 2006. The work of the review is involving widespread discussion with those involved in the operation of the system, and implementation of any recommendations could involve further discussion and consultation.

European Constitution

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answers of 12 July 2005, Official Report, column 872W, on the EU constitution, if he will make a statement on the application of qualified majority under EU constitution article III-293 to the decision making process; which (a) themes and (b) regions have featured as areas of common foreign and security policy activity; who will arbitrate in areas of jurisdictional controversy between the EU Minister and a given member state; and what legal obligations follow a request by the EU Minister to be provided with a seat at international forums attended by the UK.

Douglas Alexander: The hon. Member will be aware that, following the June European Council, the future of the constitutional treaty is uncertain.
	Article III-293 of the EU constitutional treaty, which sets out the role of the European Council in defining the strategic interests and objectives of the Union in external policies, provides that "the European Council shall act unanimously" not by qualified majority. Only European decisions defining a specifically identified Union action or position on these unanimously agreed strategic interests and objectives can be adopted by qualified majority, under article III-300(2(a)).
	A wide range of themes and regions have already featured as areas of common foreign and security policy activity. However only three of these—Russia, Ukraine and Euromed—have had strategic interests and objectives identified for them in a manner similar to the provisions in article II-293.
	Under article I-28.2 of the constitutional treaty the European Union Foreign Minister (EUFM) would carry out his role in common foreign and security policy "as mandated by the Council"—ie the member states acting unanimously. Questions of "jurisdictional controversy" between the EUFM and a member state would therefore be unlikely, and would undoubtedly be addressed and settled amicably in discussions in the Council.
	There is no provision in the European Union constitutional treaty which places an obligation on member states or other international organisations to provide the EU Minister with a seat at international forums attended by the UK. My right hon. Friend the then Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Mr. MacShane), set out in more detail the relationship proposed by the constitutional treaty between the EU Foreign Ministers and international organisations, in a letter to the hon. Member for Grantham and Stamford (Mr. Davies). A copy of the letter has been placed in the Library of the House (House of Commons reference: DEP 07/0072).

Airlift Capacity

Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the projected cost is of new airlift capacity up to 2015.

Adam Ingram: The projected cost of the A400M programme which passed Main Gate in 2000 and is expected to enter service in 2011, is approximately £2 billion up to 2014–15. Other programmes to increase our airlift capacity remain in their Assessment Phases, and it is too early to provide costs for them.

Armed Forces Deployment

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list those Army units who have been deployed to Iraq on (a) one occasion, (b) two occasions, (c) three occasions and (d) four or more occasions respectively.

Adam Ingram: The information relating to those fully formed Army Units (i.e. Regiment/Battalion level and above) that have deployed to Iraq from February 2003 to date can be found in the following list:
	One occasion:
	Headquarters 1st (United Kingdom) Armoured Division and Signal Regiment
	Headquarters 3rd (United Kingdom) Division and Signal Regiment
	Headquarters 1st Mechanical Brigade and Signal Squadron
	Headquarters 12th Mechanised Brigade and Signal Squadron
	Headquarters 19th Mechanised Brigade and Signal Squadron
	Headquarters 20th Armoured Brigade and Signal Squadron
	Headquarters 16 Air Assault Brigade and Signal Squadron
	Headquarters 101 Logistic Brigade and Signal Squadron
	Headquarters 102 Logistic Brigade and Signal Squadron
	The King's Royal Hussars
	The Royal Dragoon Guards
	The Queen's Royal Lancers
	2nd Royal Tank Regiment
	1st Regiment Royal Horse Artillery
	4th Regiment Royal Artillery
	12th Regiment Royal Artillery
	19th Regiment Royal Artillery
	40th Regiment Royal Artillery
	21 Engineer Regiment
	22 Engineer Regiment
	26 Engineer Regiment
	33 Engineer Regiment
	35 Engineer Regiment
	38 Engineer Regiment
	39 Engineer Regiment
	64 Works Group Royal Engineers
	2 Signal Regiment
	7 Signal Regiment
	16 Signal Regiment
	1st Battalion Coldstream Guards
	1st Battalion Scots Guards
	1st Battalion Irish Guards
	1st Battalion Welsh Guards
	1st Battalion The Royal Scots (The Royal Regiment)
	1st Battalion The King's Own Scottish Borderers
	1st Battalion The Highlanders
	1st Battalion The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment
	2nd Battalion The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment
	1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment
	1st Battalion The King's Own Royal Border Regiment
	1st Battalion The King's Regiment
	1st Battalion The Cheshire Regiment
	1st Battalion The Staffordshire Regiment
	1st Battalion The Royal Welsh Fusiliers
	1st Battalion The Light Infantry
	2nd Battalion The Light Infantry
	1st Battalion The Royal Green Jackets
	4th Regiment Army Air Corps
	4 Logistic Support Regiment Royal Logistics Corps
	6 Supply Regiment Royal Logistic Corps
	9 Supply Regiment Royal Logistic Corps
	10 Transport Regiment Royal Logistic Corps
	11 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Regiment Royal Logistic Corps
	13 Air Assault Support Regiment Royal Logistic Corps
	24 Regiment Royal Logistic Corps
	27 Transport Regiment Royal Logistic Corps
	29 Regiment Royal Logistic Corps
	4 General Support Medical Regiment Royal Army Medical Corps
	16 Close Support Medical Regiment Royal Army Medical Corps
	22 Field Hospital
	33 Field Hospital
	34 Field Hospital
	1st Battalion Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
	5th Battalion Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
	6th Battalion Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
	4th Regiment Royal Military Police
	Two Occasions:
	Headquarters 4th Armoured Brigade and Signal Squadron
	Headquarters 7th Armoured Brigade and Signal Squadron
	The Household Cavalry Regiment
	1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards
	The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards (Carabiniers and Greys)
	The Light Dragoons
	9th/12th Royal Lancers (Prince of Wales's)
	3rd Regiment Royal Horse Artillery
	26th Regiment Royal Artillery
	28 Engineer Regiment
	32 Engineer Regiment
	62 Works Group Royal Engineers
	63 Works Group Royal Engineers
	1st Battalion The Black Watch
	1st Battalion The Argyle and Sutherland Highlanders
	1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers
	1st Battalion The Queen's Lancashire Regiment
	1st Battalion The Duke of Wellington's Regiment (West Riding)
	1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Wales
	1st Battalion The Royal Irish Regiment
	2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment
	3rd Battalion The Parachute Regiment
	2 Logistic Support Regiment Royal Logistic Corps
	3 Logistic Support Regiment Royal Logistic Corps
	7 Transport Regiment Royal Logistic Corps
	8 Transport Regiment Royal Logistic Corps
	23 Pioneer Regiment Royal Logistic Corps
	1 Close Support Medical Regiment Royal Army Medical Corps
	3 Close Support Medical Regiment Royal Army Medical Corps
	5 General Support Medical Regiment Royal Army Medical Corps
	1st Regiment Royal Military Police
	3rd Regiment Royal Military Police
	Three occasions:
	Nil
	Four occasions:
	17 Port and Maritime Regiment Royal Logistics Corps

Defence Procurement

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps are taken to minimise the (a) time taken and (b) costs incurred by bidders on defence procurement contracts; and under what circumstances (i) all and (ii) part of the bid costs would be met by his Department.

Adam Ingram: The MOD's policy is not to pay bid costs. However, it is in the interests of MOD and industry to minimise the time and costs of tendering. MOD makes every effort to do this through a well established selective tendering process aimed at choosing the tender offering the most effective solution and best value for money. The general policy includes normally inviting a maximum of six bidders, specifying tender assessment criteria designed to facilitate early decision-making and a structured selection procedure to "preferred bidder". The process was recently reviewed and continues to be monitored for effectiveness. The newly formed more effective contracting initiative applies a phased approach to contractual commitment and provides for the option of early down-selection during the assessment phase.

Iraq

Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 27 June 2005, Official Report, columns 1204–05W, on Iraq, whether the British deputy senior judge advocate in Iraq told his British superiors about the Red Cross report he summarised.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 4 July 2005
	A copy of the November ICRC report, together with a summary were sent by the British officer to a number of senior staff within CJTF-7, including to the office of the senior British military representative—Iraq (SBMR(I), who was located in a different HQ from the British deputy SJA. We have not been able to ascertain whether that report ever arrived, and the then SBMR(I) did not read the report or the summary.
	However, SBMR-I was briefed on the ICRC report, together with Lt Gen Sanchez, by US personnel. That briefing did not raise major concerns about abuse at Abu Ghraib. Issues of "mishandling" were raised, but it was made clear that direction had already been given that such practices should stop. Further concerns were raised about record keeping and procedures for informing the relatives of internees of their whereabouts. SBMR-I directed that these procedures should be reviewed, and improvements made.
	SBMR-I was not aware of the detail of the November ICRC report, and was not aware of specific allegations of abuse at Abu Ghraib.

Merlin Helicopters

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Merlin helicopters are in operation with the Royal Navy, broken down by (a) condition and (b) age.

Adam Ingram: The Royal Navy has 23 Merlin helicopters in operation. This is in line with the current operational plan. The status of these helicopters as at 12 October 2005 is as follows:
	
		
			 Aircraft Status Age(33) 
		
		
			 RN18 ZH838 Undergoing maintenance post engine change 28 October 1999 
			 RN22 ZH842 Serviceable 1 March 2000 
			 RN16 ZH836 Undergoing maintenance 19 August 1999 
			 RN35 ZH855 Undergoing routine maintenance 28 June 2001 
			 RN40 ZH860 Undergoing routine maintenance 26 March 2002 
			 RN43 ZH863 Serviceable 9 August 2002 
			 RN08 ZH828 Serviceable 28 August 1998 
			 RN21 ZH841 Under technical investigation 29 January 2000 
			 RN23 ZH843 Undergoing routine maintenance 13 April 2000 
			 RN42 ZH862 Serviceable 26 June 2002 
			 RN44 ZH864 Serviceable 4 October 2002 
			 RN11 ZH831 Undergoing routine maintenance 29 January 1999 
			 RN15 ZH835 Undergoing routine maintenance 9 August 1999 
			 RN19 ZH839 Undergoing maintenance 24 November 1999 
			 RN26 ZH846 Serviceable 16 August 2000 
			 RN29 ZH849 Serviceable 15 December 2000 
			 RN41 ZH861 Undergoing routine maintenance 14 May 2002 
			 RN17 ZH837 Undergoing maintenance post storage 24 September 1999 
			 RN28 ZH848 Serviceable 8 November 1999 
			 RN30 ZH850 Serviceable 21 December 2000 
			 RN31 ZH851 Serviceable 2 March 2001 
			 RN32 ZH852 Serviceable 29 March 2001 
			 RN37 ZH857 Serviceable 5 October 2001 
		
	
	(33) This relates to the first time an aircraft's rotors are engaged.
	Of the 11 aircraft out of service on 12 October all but four were expected to re-enter service within one to three days.

QinetiQ

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what guaranteed funding QinetiQ is due to receive from his Department's science and technology budget over the next five years.

Adam Ingram: With the progressive introduction of competition to the majority of the Ministry of Defence's science and technology budget since 2001, the proportion of single tender work awarded to QinetiQ has diminished and will continue to do so. The NAO report "The Management of Defence Research and Technology" published on 10 March 2004 shows how competition will affect QinetiQ's share of the elements of the research programme that equated to applied and corporate research. QinetiQ's assured share of these elements of the research programme will decline over time, dropping to less than 10 percent. by financial year 2008–09. We currently have about £80 million pounds work on contract with QinetiQ through single tender action for the Department's science and technology budget over the period of financial years 2006–07 to 2008–09. This figure is of course subject to change as new contracts are placed.

Faith-based Projects (Funding)

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much funding was provided to faith-based (a) groups and (b) projects in Northern Ireland over the last five years, broken down by (i) Westminster parliamentary constituency and (ii) district council area.

David Hanson: Government in Northern Ireland recognise the valuable contribution that faith based organisations have made to community life, local regeneration and the provision of a wide range of social activities.
	The nature of the information sought is not available as prior to April 2004 Departments did not specifically categorise support to church or faith based groups they were recorded as voluntary community groups. From April 2004 with the establishment of the Northern Ireland Government funding database Departments are now recording the nature of organisations, their activity focus and geographical area of operation. The following table lists funding since 2004 to those organisations which have identified themselves as faith based groups and which council area they operate in. This does not include organisations that may have designated themselves as charitable, voluntary or community groups which however are led by faith based organisations.
	The database is still being populated by Departments. It will be possible in future years to provide more comprehensive information.
	
		
			  Organisation name  Council  Grant title Financial year Award amount (£) 
		
		
			 Religion 
			 Harmony Community Trust Strangford Down Good Relations 2004–05 62,642.00 
			2005–06 68,438.00 
			2006–07 70,370.00 
			  
			 Religious activities
			 Board of Social Witness Belfast Core Funding 2004–05 to 2006–07 2004–05 43,324.00 
			2005–06 44,624.00 
			2006–07 0.00 
			  
			 Church of Ireland Board for Social Belfast DHSSPS Core Grant Church of Ireland 2003 to 2006 2005–06 67,826.00 
			 Responsibility   2003–04 64,244.00 
			2004–05 65,850.00 
			  
			 Churches Community Work Alliance Belfast Revenue Core Funding 2003–04 47,420.00 
			2004–05 46,036.00 
			2005–06 46,378.00 
			  
			 Citywide Enterprise Ltd. (Twin Spires) Lisburn Cemetery Regeneration Project 2002–03 24,359.03 
			2003–04 20,962.49 
			  
			 Greenhill YMCA Down Greenhill YMCA 2003–04 100,000.00 
			2004–05 60,000.00 
			  
			 Mothers Hope Crisis Centre Belfast Salaries, Running Cost, Refurbishment IW/P/35/03 2004–05 81,658.15 
			2005–06 0.00 
			2006–07 0.00 
			  
			 Willowfield Parish Community Association Belfast Provision of community facility NR2/SE/P/54/04 2005–06 0.00 
			2006–07 0.00 
			  
			 St. Columba's Project — Developing Community Capacity 2004–05 11,704.00 
			 Total925,835.67

Hospital Beds

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the percentage bed occupancy was in each hospital in Northern Ireland in each of the last 12 months.

Shaun Woodward: Figures for percentage bed occupancy are collected on a quarterly basis and provisional figures for 2004–05 are given in the following table. Note that day cases are excluded from the calculation for bed occupancy.
	
		Percentage bed occupancy by quarter and hospital 2004–05(43)
		
			 Hospital April to June 2004 July to September 2004 October to December 2004 January to March 2005 2004–05 total 
		
		
			 Belfast City 84.6 86.0 86.9 89.1 86.6 
			 Belvoir Park NICCO 88.8 85.8 85.3 86.3 86.5 
			 Windsor House 98.9 99.7 99.4 98.9 99.5 
			 Forest Lodge 71.0 80.0 72.2 70.0 73.7 
			 Forster Green 62.9 65.3 64.3 60.1 63.2 
			 Musgrave Park 75.4 70.4 78.0 80.6 76.0 
			 Knockbracken Health Care Park 85.0 87.5 87.4 87.2 86.8 
			 Shaftesbury Square 20.7 5.8 5.8 8.4 10.0 
			 Young Peoples Centre 100.0 94.4 44.4 42.2 75.5 
			 Ards 96.1 90.3 92.3 94.0 93.3 
			 Bangor 92.0 85.0 85.6 90.2 88.3 
			 Ulster 89.7 88.6 88.8 88.9 89.0 
			 RBHSC 66.3 64.4 65.5 75.6 67.9 
			 Royal Maternity 72.6 70.0 71.2 69.8 70.9 
			 Royal Victoria 89.4 88.0 87.9 88.8 88.6 
			 Mater Infirmorum 89.3 90.0 92.3 89.0 90.2 
			 Muckamore Abbey 96.9 95.6 93.0 93.0 94.6 
			 Downe 93.0 84.3 85.7 87.8 87.8 
			 Downshire 100.0 80.6 100.0 100.0 97.0 
			 Lagan Valley 83.2 81.6 80.3 82.7 81.9 
			 Lagan Valley P.N.U 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 
			 Thompson House 96.9 97.8 93.1 92.2 95.0 
			 Causeway 81.0 77.2 77.3 82.1 79.4 
			 Dalriada 82.8 84.1 72.2 72.2 77.8 
			 Robinson Memorial 83.6 78.8 82.0 74.0 79.6 
			 Holywell 96.3 93.4 90.8 95.1 93.9 
			 Whiteabbey P.N.U 94.7 98.4 77.4 98.9 92.6 
			 Antrim 75.7 74.5 76.7 78.7 76.4 
			 Braid Valley 91.1 94.8 92.6 96.6 93.8 
			 Mid Ulster 76.4 72.0 73.4 76.6 74.5 
			 Moyle 94.2 94.4 91.7 93.1 93.5 
			 Whiteabbey 94.4 92.0 94.2 97.2 94.4 
			 Longstone 93.0 93.4 86.2 85.2 89.4 
			 Mullinure 92.8 90.3 81.1 81.1 86.4 
			 Oaklands 65.0 61.4 59.6 62.3 63.2 
			 St. Lukes 79.0 78.1 75.2 77.4 77.4 
			 Banbridge(44) 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 
			 Craigavon Area 78.5 79.8 79.1 82.1 79.9 
			 Lurgan 87.9 91.2 86.9 90.4 89.1 
			 South Tyrone 94.1 87.8 97.6 89.0 92.2 
			 Daisyhill 76.1 73.0 73.9 77.1 75.0 
			 Craigavon P.N.U 97.5 95.9 92.3 90.9 94.1 
			 Altnagelvin Area 81.3 78.7 79.6 83.6 80.8 
			 Waterside 77.8 74.4 78.3 75.6 76.7 
			 Gransha 92.4 90.8 87.9 90.4 90.4 
			 Roe Valley 90.0 88.0 88.0 90.0 89.3 
			 Stradeagh 93.5 94.1 96.3 89.6 93.4 
			 Waterside-Foyle 85.8 84.4 88.3 90.9 87.4 
			 Erne 66.4 61.9 68.5 69.4 66.5 
			 Tyrone and Fermanagh 83.3 82.1 81.8 85.9 83.2 
			 Tyrone County 79.7 80.3 78.7 83.3 80.5 
			 Northern Ireland 84.7 83.0 83.6 85.3 84.2 
		
	
	(43) Provisional
	2 Banbridge hospital only has day cases which are excluded from the calculation for bed occupancy.